Notice2024-01925
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 31, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6096-6097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01925]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before April 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#48092c3a212d26262d663c202725293b0826272929662f273e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fdbc998f9498939398d3899592909c8ebd93929c9cd39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0546 in the subject line of your
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Travis Ford, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978-281-9233,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd898f9c8b948ed39b928f99bd93929c9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e3979182958a90cd858c9187a38d8c8282cd848c95">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for an extension of a currently approved
information collection. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has the
responsibility for the conservation and management of marine fishery
resources. Much of this responsibility has been delegated to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS). Under this stewardship role, the Secretary
was given certain regulatory authorities to ensure the most beneficial
uses of these resources. One of the
[[Page 6097]]
regulatory steps taken to carry out the conservation and management
objectives is to collect data from users of the resource. Regulations
at 50 CFR 648.11(g) require observer service providers to comply with
specific requirements in order to operate as an approved provider in
the Atlantic sea scallop (scallop) fishery. Observer service providers
must comply with the following requirements: submit applications for
approval as an observer service provider; formally request observer
training by the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP); submit
observer deployment reports and biological samples; give notification
of whether a vessel must carry an observer within 24 hours of the
vessel owner's notification of a prospective trip; maintain an updated
contact list of all observers that includes the observer identification
number; observer's name mailing address, email address, phone numbers,
homeports or fisheries/trip types assigned, and whether or not the
observer is ``in service.'' The regulations also require observer
service providers submit any outreach materials, such as informational
pamphlets, payment notification, and descriptions of observer duties as
well as all contracts between the service provider and entities
requiring observer services for review to NMFS/NEFOP. Observer service
providers also have the option to respond to application denials, and
submit a rebuttal in response to a pending removal from the list of
approved observer providers.
Regulations at Sec. 648.11(k)(2) require that limited access,
limited access general category individual fishing quota, and Northern
Gulf of Maine scallop vessels notify NMFS prior to the beginning of a
scallop trip to facilitate the deployment of at-sea observers.
Previously, vessels either called or email to notify NMFS of an
upcoming scallop trip. NMFS will be adding a new method for
notification called the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS). The
integration of the scallop notification requirement into the PTNS helps
standardize observer operations between fisheries and modernize
reporting systems. The PTNS is a mobile-friendly website that is more
sophisticated and flexible than the aging interactive voice response
technology. The change to the PTNS does not affect determination of
scallop coverage rates or the compensation analysis. There are no
changes to the requirements vessels must abide by if selected to carry
an observer, such as equal accommodations, a harassment-free
environment, and other safety requirements. This change is not expected
to impact the burden response time, but NOAA will continue to monitor
use of this new tool, and will update the collection if it results in
any burden changes at our next renewal. These requirements allow NMFS/
NEFOP to effectively administer the scallop observer program.
II. Method of Collection
The approved observer service providers submit information to NMFS/
NEFOP via email, fax, or postal service.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0546.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (extension and revision of a
currently approved information collection).
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organization.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 622.
Estimated Time per Response: Application for approval of observer
service provider, 10 hours; applicant response to denial of application
for approval of observer service provider, 10 hours; observer service
provider request for observer training, 30 minutes; observer deployment
report, 10 minutes; observer availability report, 10 minutes; safety
refusal report, 30 minutes; submission of raw observer data, 5 minutes;
observer debriefing, 2 hours; biological samples, 5 minutes; rebuttal
of pending removal from list of approved observer service providers, 8
hours; vessel request to observer service provider for procurement of a
certified observer, 25 minutes; vessel request for waiver of observer
coverage requirement, 10 minutes; observer contact list updates, 5
minutes; observer availability updates, 1 minute; service provider
material submissions, 30 minutes; service provider contracts, 30
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,320.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $60,545.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-01925 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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